Colorado Springs City Council Approves Urban Renewal Proposal Near Mill Street

Residents voice concerns over displacement and being "priced out" of the area

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 to approve an urban renewal proposal near the Mill Street neighborhood, despite concerns from residents about potential displacement and rising property taxes. The proposal includes a new hotel development by Norwood Development, which residents say has stopped communicating with the community.

Why it matters

The Mill Street neighborhood has a history of affordability and community-oriented businesses, and residents fear the new development will price them out of the area. This highlights the ongoing tensions between urban renewal efforts and preserving affordable housing and local character in gentrifying neighborhoods.

The details

The Cascade and Moreno Urban Renewal Area proposal includes a new Catbird Hotel development by Norwood Development. Residents like Amber Young and Frozie Abbott expressed concerns about rising property taxes and the lack of a legally-binding Community Benefit Agreement to protect current residents. Norwood's senior vice president Jeff Finn said the company is not in a position to "fix people's homes" but will build higher density housing solutions.

  • On February 25, 2026, the Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 to approve the urban renewal proposal.
  • In the fall of 2025, the Mill Street Community Benefits All Coalition claims communication with Norwood Development stopped.

The players

Amber Young

A Mill Street resident who bought her first home in the neighborhood about two years ago and is concerned about being "priced out" by the new development.

Frozie Abbott

A Mill Street resident of more than two decades who pleaded with the city council for a legally-binding Community Benefit Agreement to protect her and her neighbors from being "priced or pushed out".

Jeff Finn

The senior vice president of Norwood Development, the company proposing the Catbird Hotel development. Finn said the company is not in a position to "fix people's homes" but will build higher density housing solutions.

Norwood Development

The development company proposing the Catbird Hotel project in the Mill Street neighborhood.

Mill Street Community Benefits All Coalition

A coalition of Mill Street residents who claim communication with Norwood Development stopped in the fall of 2025.

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What they’re saying

“When my property taxes go up even $20, $50, I notice that. When we have new developments, like the hotel going up, that's a big increase to the property taxes for the neighborhood as a whole.”

— Amber Young, Mill Street resident (koaa.com)

“Many of my neighbors fear being priced or pushed out and I can't stand for that. If I lose my home or my neighbors, I don't know what I'll do or how I'll survive. That's why we need an agreement with Norwood that creates real solutions for our neighbors.”

— Frozie Abbott, Mill Street resident (koaa.com)

“I said no, I won't. I won't because you're not investable.”

— Jeff Finn, Senior Vice President, Norwood Development (koaa.com)

What’s next

The Mill Street residents say their fight is not over, and they plan to continue advocating for protections against displacement and rising costs in their neighborhood.

The takeaway

This urban renewal proposal highlights the ongoing tensions between development efforts and preserving affordable housing and community character in gentrifying neighborhoods. The Mill Street residents' concerns over displacement and lack of community benefits demonstrate the need for more inclusive and equitable urban planning processes.